NCJ Number
173974
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 1998 Pages: 53-59
Date Published
1998
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This is a preliminary analysis of a 1996 National Gang Crime Research Center survey on Asian gang affiliation.
Abstract
The 1996 survey collected data from 85 correctional facilities in 17 States. It targeted 10,166 confined offenders, of whom 3,500 were self-reported gang members. This report focuses on the subsample in the survey of those who reported having joined an Asian gang (n=89). The survey consisted of 98 questions in 10 areas: Personal Background; Family Background; Beliefs and Attitude; Social Condition; Gang Joining; Gang Quitting; Gang Organization; Gang Activity; Correctional Life; and Crime and Punishment. Results of the 1996 survey demonstrate that: (1) social environmental factors such as schools, neighborhood, families, perceived job opportunities and social opportunities significantly affect one's gang affiliation; (2) peer pressure, money and protection are the three major reasons for an Asian youth to join a gang; and (3) the majority of Asian gang members surveyed did not become hardened criminals; they retained faith in religion and the social system and could quit the gang if they wanted to. References